29.5 million people globally suffer from drug use disorders, opioids the most harmful says World Drug Report 2017

As per World Drug Report 2017, released by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), around 29.5 million people (0.6% of the global adult population) were engaged in problematic use of drugs and suffered from drug use disorders, including dependence.

Highlights of World Drug Report 2017:

The report highlighted that Opioids (drugs derived from opium, including morphine) were the most harmful drug type and accounted for 70% of the negative health impact associated with drug use disorders worldwide.

• Disorders related to the use of amphetamines (central nervous system stimulant that is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) also accounts for a considerable share of the global burden of disease.
• In context of new psychoactive substances (NPS), the report has mentioned that its market is still relatively small and users are unaware of the content and dosage of psychoactive substances in some NPS which exposes them to additional serious health risks.
• The report finds that hepatitis C is causing the greatest harm among the estimated 12 million people who inject drugs worldwide. Out of these 12 million, 1.6 million are living with HIV, 6.1 million are living with hepatitis C, while around 1.3 million are suffering from both hepatitis C and HIV.
• As per the report, mobile communication, internet and use of crypto currency have been facilitating drug sales in recent times.
• Diversification of the thriving drug market, as well as changing business models for drug trafficking and organized crime have been identified as cause of concern.

About World Drug Report:

World Drug Report is an annual publication of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

• It provides detailed statistics on drug markets and analyses the evolving trends.
• The first edition of World Drug report was published in year 1997, the same year in which UNODC was established.
• Headquarters of UNODC is in Vienna, Austria. Yuri Fedotov is the current Executive Director of UNODC.